These two pieces clearly show the juxtaposition between a life which is freely chosen and one which is not.
You dance for us too by Chris Hall
We watch you dance in the sunlight
admiring your graceful fluidity
your total abandonment
to your art.
We watch you dance from our windows
confined inside, with limbs
no longer able
to obey.
That freedom, which once was ours
lives on, as we watch
while you dance
for us too.
Barely Ten by Rashmi Buragohain
Featured on Masticadores USA 3/31/22
She was barely ten
When she had to take
Those seven steps around the fire
With weary eyes
She was barely ten
When she stepped in that house
With a toy of a doll
Clasped in her hands
She was barely ten
When her toy was forgotten
Lying somewhere in a corner
Covered with dust
She was barely ten
When the ladle became her life
To feed them all, but none to ask,
«Where is your morsel, dear?»
I Write Her 
I am so happy to find my poem here! Thank you so much for the share.
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My pleasure, Rashmi!
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I liked them both but the last line of Rashmi’s poem is heartbreaking! 💔
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Yes, it is! Thanks, Carolyn! ❤
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Thank you so much, Carolyn! I am so glad 😊💐
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Love them both 💚💚
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How lovely to find my poem featured here, Susi. It does make a good contrast with Rashmi’s poem – light and dark.
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It’s always a pleasure to share good writing, Chris! ❤
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Aww, that’s kind of you, Susi!🤗
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Well, it’s true. 🙂
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That’s a beautiful poem — so tender and calming!
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